Sleuth – First To Leave, Last To Go (2020)
Did you know that a group of bears is known as a sleuth of bears? Well, until a few hours ago I did not. It was not until I came across UK-based trio indie-rock group Sleuth that I came across this fun fact. You really do learn something new every day, don’t you?
Technically founded in 2017 as a solo project for multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Christopher Taylor-Ashcroft, Sleuth officially became a trio in 2020 after the release of ‘We Are Books’. Featuring bassist Daria Tomalak, drummer Carl Bayliss and Taylor-Ashcroft on all other instruments plus vocals, Sleuth is breeding a new type of indie-rock for the 21st century.
What I find incredibly interesting about ‘First To Leave, Last To Go’ is how it lulls you into a false sense of security in the intro, but dips and raises throughout the track to pull you onto a sonic rollercoaster. Reminiscent of Placebo’s Brian Molko, Taylor-Ashcroft’s vocals seem quite brusque or crusty but have a contradictory pacifying quality.
A follow-up to their well-received single ‘We Are Books’, ‘First To Leave, Last To Go’ is a compelling addition to Sleuth’s discography. Described as “an earworm” by Brum Radio (where it made the A-List), the track is captivating and engaging. Complementing the dynamic, dulcet tones of Taylor-Ashcroft with powerful, but not overwhelming, instrumentation, Sleuth has found the line between melodic and muck and fallen into the former.
For more from Sleuth, check out their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
